Rachel Laine (The Women of Merryton Book 3) by Jennifer Peel Read Free Book Online Page B

worse, asking if he could take
Drew camping. I was definitely not ready for that, and besides, only crazy
people camped this time of year. He didn’t press any further. Instead, we got
down to the business of cooking our food.
    They
had put together quite the spread. There were hotdogs, and several long skewers
with chicken, peppers, and pineapple on them. There was also a tray of bananas,
tiny marshmallows, and chocolate chips.
    “What
are those for?” I inquired.
    He
had this dreamy look in his eye. “Banana boats.”
    “Banana
boats?”
    “Believe
me, they’re amazing.”
    I
shrugged my shoulders. They sounded weird to me.
    We
all roasted our food at the same time. Drew was in between us and he looked
like he was in heaven. Andrew and I both kept looking down at him and then back
up at each other. I felt an unwelcome warm thought toward him.
    Once
our food was thoroughly cooked, we sat crossed legged on the blanket and ate
and talked and laughed.
    Andrew
told us camping stories from when he was growing up. Most of them sounded like
tall tales, but they were entertaining—at least Drew certainly thought so.
Andrew’s dad, whom I realized was my son’s other grandpa, sounded like a real
character and an outdoorsman.
    “Do
you and your dad still camp?” I asked.
    Andrew
paused. “No. He passed away two years ago.”
    “Oh,
I’m so sorry.”
    “Me,
too,” he said. “He was my best friend and example.”
    “Siblings?”
    “Nope.”
    I
was relieved he didn’t have a lot of family, though I didn’t know why.
    We
finished our dinner, and Andrew taught us how to make banana boats. He sliced
the middle of the banana with the peel still intact, then he shoved chocolate
and marshmallows in the cavity. Once that was done, he wrapped them in foil and
placed them in the coals until they came out all ooey and gooey. Drew thought
they were fabulous. They were a little too sweet for my taste, but I didn’t say
anything. For some reason, I thought it would have disappointed Andrew if I
didn’t like them, and since he had gone to all the trouble, I smiled and said,
“Mmm.”
    After
dessert, we continued talking as the fire burned low. We talked so much Drew
conked out with his head in my lap. I stroked his hair and gazed down at his
sweet face. He looked so angelic and innocent when he slept.
    “He
really is a great kid,” Andrew observed.
    He
was the best kid.
    Andrew
was lying on the blanket with his head propped up on his hand, staring up at
me. Jake was cozied up to him.
    “You
know we need to talk about where all of this is going. You need to decide if
you’re all in. Drew doesn’t deserve in between.”
    He
sat up and ran his fingers through his sandy brown hair. “I know that. It’s
just...my life could get very complicated over the next several months.”
    I
watched my son sleep as I spoke. I gained courage in doing so. “Andrew, I don’t
care how rich or well-known you are; I don’t even care about your biological
status in regards to my son. I will protect him at all costs, even from you if
I have to.” I met Andrew’s eyes. “Do I make myself clear?”
    “Crystal.”
He smiled.

Chapter Six
     
    Sunday
morning I woke up early even though I had gone to bed late. For some reason,
Andrew liked to linger—and the man could talk for hours. While he did talk a
little about himself, he seemed more interested in us. He had an endless supply
of questions for us. I guessed it made sense, but it was weird to open myself
up to a stranger. I was more than grateful he wasn’t coming back over today. He
was flying to Chicago for the beginning of the World Series. The Chicago
Spartans were taking on the Bears this year.
    “That
must sting,” I had rubbed in last night. He had never made it to the World
Series as a player, and to have his team go the year after he retired? Ouch.
    He
just laughed. “I think there was a little too much glee in your voice when you
said